VIDEO EXCLUSIVE: U.S. Women’s Soccer Star Crystal Dunn Embraces ‘New Era’ Ahead Of Olympics

As the U.S. women’s national soccer team gears up for the 2024 Paris Olympics, U.S. women’s soccer star Crystal Dunn is is taking a realistic approach amid the squad’s transition. 

Dunn, who has earned 137 caps for the national team since her debut in 2013, acknowledged the changes afoot.

“We’re in a new kind of era,” Dunn told uInterview. “There’s a lot of new faces, which makes it feel that way, and also a new head coach. So there’s a lot of change that’s been going on.” 

However, Dunn and an experienced core are helping integrate the younger players. “There’s still a core group that has been around to help the younger generation get acquainted and get accustomed to the U.S. women’s national team,” she said. 

Dunn, known for her versatility in attack and defense, expects nerves ahead of the Olympics but plans to stay grounded. “For me, playing in the Olympics is a big moment, so nerves are going to set in, and you’re going to get anxious,” she said. “I try to remind myself that you’re here for a reason; you’ve worked really hard to be here and just enjoy that moment.” 

She believes getting too ahead of oneself “tends to be when you make mistakes or when you let the moment pass you up.” 

Off the field, Dunn is enthusiastic about soccer’s growing popularity in the U.S., fueled by stars like Lionel Messi joining MLS and the rise of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).

“What you’re seeing right now with Messi joining the MLS has kind of been a massive buzz on the men’s side,” Dunn observed. “And I think also what you’re seeing on the women’s side is there’s players outside the U.S. that are intrigued about the NWSL.”

She praised the NWSL’s quality, saying, “I think the NWSL is an amazing league. It’s hard, and now we’re attracting players outside the U.S. who want to come join and test it out. And I think that’s really good for the growth of the women’s game.”